A well-stocked kitchen can be a huge investment. While getting inexpensive items might be tempting, chances are you’ll end up replacing them sooner rather than later. Instead, a better longterm and cost-saving solution is to invest in high-quality products, like those from Tuxton Home, who promises to provide durable, functional products in a responsible and sustainable way.
Here are five red flags to watch out for when buying kitchenware—and how you can instead choose the best pieces for durability, versatility, and safety.
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Sure, that cheap knife set, blender, or set of pans hits far below the budget—but why is it priced so low? Before grabbing the most inexpensive item on the shelf, consider why it is so cheap. More likely than not, its materials are of lower quality, the product won’t last as long, and it will require maintenance or replacing sooner than you’ll want.
Look for pro-grade durability, which will last a lot longer than anything targeted specifically for the home cook. Expect to spend between $150-250 on a full dinnerware set, complete with four of each dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls. A good starter set of pots and pans will run at least several hundred dollars, and you can expect a good set of knives to cost several hundred dollars as well. You can get around this by tracking prices and keeping an eye on sales, scoring higher quality items at a lower cost. Be sure to note the original price though, and steer away from pieces that seem suspiciously low-priced.
If you’re investing in kitchenware, you want to know you’re covered. Tuxton Home has a lifetime guarantee against factory defects, so you can rest easy knowing your kitchen investments will be replaced if they’re found to have any manufacturer issues. Tuxton ceramic products are also warrantied against edge chipping under normal usage and handling, and one-off items will be exchanged if any imperfections are found.
When in doubt, take a look at the specs. Well-designed products are built to handle more. Sure that dinner plate is pretty, but can it go in the microwave or dishwasher? The cookware might be sturdy-looking, but how much oven heat can it withstand? Don't fall for looks, only to find that your affordable purchase is costing you in time and effort. You should not have to structure your life around making it work for you. Instead, compare the details and find something that makes life easier.
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The key here is to look for both consumer reviews and branded “best of” articles. Scrolling through websites and blogs featuring the items you’re shopping for is a great place to start, but often the products are provided free of charge in exchange for placement or review. While that doesn't necessarily negate the validity of the review or inclusion, it can certainly skew the write-up in a more positive direction. Look for authentic consumer reviews written after the person has had the item for a significant amount of time. If the reviews tend towards the negative, and the durability and overall performance are lacking, steer clear.
There are a few exceptions to this rule (you’ll never be sorry you bought that rice cooker), but for the most part, you probably don’t need to be taking up precious kitchen space with single-use items. Sure that strawberry corer will last forever, but why let it take up space? Additionally, if you aren’t ever going to use it, don’t buy it. Be honest with yourself—are you really ever going to make your own pasta? Do you really need that giant dehydrator? If the answer is likely no, leave the item on the shelf.
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Yes, stocking a kitchen with high-quality kitchenware requires some money. But do it right, and you can expect to spend many happy years in the kitchen enjoying your reliable products. Put a little thought into your purchases now, and your meal prep and serving becomes much more fun.
One last tip: Nonstick pans are lifesavers in the kitchen, and they are ideal for cooking food such as pancakes, eggs, and fish, which are all less likely to fall apart if they can be easily removed from the pan. But the lower-end nonstick items have the potential for the finish to wear off quickly and leach into the food you’re cooking—not ideal. Look for pans with ceramic-coated nonstick finishes that are made without PTFE and PFOA chemicals. The nonstick function works great—and it stays on the pan.
If you enjoyed this article, you should also read:
How to Properly Care for Your Kitchenware so That It Lasts Forever